DeSoto County pays tribute to officers killed in line of duty

May 2, 2014 — Southaven Sgt. Donna Holloway salutes as a caisson and horse exit during this year’s Fallen Heroes Memorial Service, held on the front lawn of the county courthouse in Hernando. The annual service is held to pay tribute to officers who have paid the ultimate price in service to the county. (Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal)

May 2, 2014 — Deputy David Parnell releases one of eight doves in tribute during Friday’s DeSoto County Fallen Heroes Memorial Service. More than a hundred people attended the annual event held on the front lawn of the county courthouse. (Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal)

May 2, 2014 — A caisson and horse exit the front lawn of the county courthouse during the county’s Fallen Heroes Memorial Service Friday morning. (Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal)

As the bagpipes echoed through the streets of downtown Hernando Friday, a horse with no rider followed a horse-drawn caisson carrying an empty flag-draped casket.

The event is held every year during the first week of May to honor eight county and municipal public safety officers: William P. Harris, Robert Dodson, Larry Cox, Rory Welch Key, Larkin V. Pettit, James W. Lance Jr., Bobby L. Wells Jr. and Gregory Floyd Medlin.

All eight were killed in the line of duty, the first being DeSoto County Sheriff William Harris in 1912. DeSoto County Sheriff's Lt. Gregory Floyd Medlin, in 2003, was the most recent.

Friday's remembrance was not only about paying homage to those eight, but also about the law enforcement officers who risk their lives every day to serve and protect, guest speaker Capt. Thomas W. Tuggle II, assistant director of the Mississippi Law Enforcement Academy, told the crowd of more than 100 gathered on the DeSoto County Courthouse lawn.

"I have one request today," Tuggle told the audience. "Before you leave, find one of these angels and shake their hands. Thank them for doing something that which most people wouldn't do, and that is to put their lives on the line for people they never met."

Tuggle also thanked the family members of the fallen officers who attended the ceremony.

"I am deeply humbled and honored to be here today to remember these special officers' sacrifice that has been etched in the souls and minds of the survivors and the officers who cared for them," he said. "I thank you, the survivors, for supporting this annual memorial."

Paige Brown was 2 years old when her father, Southaven Police Lt. James W. Lance Jr., was shot and killed by a robbery suspect in 1988.

"I think it is wonderful that they honor my dad and all the other officers every year," said Brown.

During the hourlong service, students from Northwest Mississippi Community College were awarded the Fallen Heroes Scholarship for the 2013-14 academic year. The $1,000 scholarships were given in honor of the eight fallen officers.